Can opener



R. L. wizamuas Aug. .19 924.

CAN OPENER File Jun 16 2.921 2 Shams-Sheet 1 Ina/enter; iijaberz" L. W61 ,5

Aug. 19,, mm. 1,505,833

I R. L. WELLS CAN OPENER Fil n is. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet, 2

iwbgml WW Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT L. WELLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAN OPENER.

7 Application filed June 16, 1921. Serial No. 477,947.

- .To all whomit may concern.

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. WELLS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can Openers,

ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to can opening machines, and has for its object the provision of a simple machine which will cut out I' the ends of cans of various sizes in an expeditious manner.

It has been common practice heretofore to use various means for opening cans. none of which has been entirely satisfactory, as the small can openers are awkward and uncertain in use, and in opening larger cans it is common practice to use a hatchet or like instrument. By using my machine I can cut out the tops of cans of various i: :sizes quickly and neatly.

;ing machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation partly in section of such machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail view on line 33 of F igkl,

Fig. 4: is a detail view on line 41-4l of I i Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 1 represents a standard of any desired constructlon, havlng a suitable base 2 which may be secured in ".liany desirable location, preferably conveniently near a power plant. A shaft 3 may have one end journalled in said standard 1. and its other end journalled in a bearing 4.- atthe end of arm 5 on said standard.

At the end of the shaft 3 is keyed a pulley 6 which may be driven by a belt 7 connected to any suitable source of power. A pulley 8 is also keyed on said shaft 3, and transmits power to two smaller pulleys 9 and 10 mounted on said standard 1 above said pulley 8, and preferably disposed at right angles thereto.

The standard 1 is also preferably provided with arms 17 and 18 in the bear- .;ings 15 and 16 of which is journalled a shaft 11. The pulley 12 is preferably mounted on the shaft 11 as shown. The belt 13 engages the pulleys 8, 9, 10 and 12 to drive the shaft 11. The outer endof the shaft 11 may be provided with a suitable collar 14: to support same in position. If desired, the collar 14. may be provided with ball bearings; and any of the other bearings in the machine may be of this type if deemed desirable. As illustrated, the machine comprises as few parts as are consistent with smooth and positive operation, but I consider refinements of parts of my machine as within the scope of my invention.

I preferably provide a can centering detachable chuck 19 of any desirable size which is preferably provided with a sleeve 20 which engages a suitable bore in the hearing 16, and a set screw 21 may be tapped through said bearing to hold the chuck securely in position. Chuck 19 preferably has its lower inner edges outwardly bevelled as shown at 19 for a purpose hereinafter described. Chucks similar to 19, but of different sizes, may be substituted one for the other when'operating on cans of different sizes.

The lower end of shaft 11 is preferably journalled in a collar 21 secured in bearing 16 as shown, and to the end of said shaft is detachably connected a disk 22 which is adapted to rotate with said shaft. The disk 22 may be connected to said shaftin any suitable manner, but is shown as having a threaded socket engaging the threaded end of said shaft, the direction of rotation of the disk of course being such as to engage the disk tightly on shaft 11.

I preferably mount a tapered knife blade 23 on periphery of disk 22 which blade rotates with said disk. The disk 22 is detachable, and a similar disk, having a knife 28, may be substituted therefor when operating on cans of different sizes.

In order to bring a can into engagement with the cutting knife 23, I preferably provide a circular detachable interchangeable platform 24, which may be provided with an annular flange 25 extending therearound to retain a rubber pad or the like in position. The platform 24. is preferably provided with a boss 25 on its undersidie, which has a socket into which is inserted the end of a rod 27. A set screw 28 may be tapped through said boss 25 to engage said rod 27;. and secure same to the platform. The platform 24 also is' preferably provided with a bracket 29 on its underside into which is inserted a rod 30 carrying an angular bar 31, having forked fingers 32, the inner sides of said fingers being adjustable to engage a can to position same on the platform 24.

I also preferably provide suitable means forfraising-and lowering said can and platform intoengagement with the knife 23,

and out of engagement therewith after the top of the'can has been cut. As shown, an

arm'32 carrying a guide 33 having retainlng'flanges 341s provided. A slide 35 1s atl'apted'to moveup and down in the guide The'o'uter face of slide 35 has provided 'at'one endupst'anding ears 36 which engage theend of rod 27 as shown, and are clamped thereon by aset screw, the other end of said slide also having ears 38 which engage a li'nk '40"whi'ch link is pivotally secured "theretoby a pin 39 t'ransfixing said ears.

The lower end of link 40 is bifurcated and pivotally secu'red'to a lever 41, which is pivoted to the standard 1 at 42, as shown, the

ot'her'end of said lever 41 being connected by link' 45to a lever 43, and pivoted to the j standard'l at 44. The lever 43 carries at its'o'uter-enda foot-piece 46. A spring 47 ispijovided for normally retaining the lever 43inraised position.

P'A'sabove stated the machine is capable of' operating on cans of different diameters. This is accomplished by providing a numberof' chucks 19-and disks 22 of various o'f'a larger size than shown, for instance, the

disk'22 carrying knife 23, is unscrewed and I The removed from the end of shaft 11. said screw 21 is then loosened and the chuck 19;"remove'd. Achuck similar to 19 in all respects save that it has a larger can receiving recess isthen inserted over theend of the shaft 11, the slee've20 thereof engaging the bearing'IG-adjacent the lower end of collar 21 and the set screw21 tightened to holdfsa'id chnck in position. A disk simito 22-' b ut-of aflarger size, carrying a knife'like23'is then screwed onto the end of shaft 111. The machine is then ready for operation on cans of'larger size. Any size of disk and chuck may be placed on the ma I; detachable? and a larger or smaller *m'ay besubstituted if desired.

chine in a similar manner so that the mach ineis capable of operating on cans varyln'g fgreatly 111S1Ze. The platform 24 is also iInoperation a chuck 19, disk 22, and platform '24 of the desiredsize 'areplac ed' in position, andth'e power turned on. The fingers '32- are adjusted to position the cans on the platform 24. The lever 43 is then p'ressed-(asshown in Fig. 1) thereby raising' th'e" can into engagement with the bev- VVhen it is desired to operate on cans platform elled edges 19" of the chuck-19 to center the can and 'hold'same in position, the rotating knife at the same time piercing the can top While I have illustrated and described" the preferred form of construction for carryin my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of'the invention.

such variations and modifications as come wlthin the scope of the appended cla ms.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire'to secure by-Letters Patent, is

1. In a can opening machine, in combina'-' tion, a stationary chuck with bevelled means for centering and holding a can inposition; means carrying a knife support and knife mounted in saidchuck for continuous rotation; and means for supporting and moving a can into holding engagement with said chuck and into cutting engagement with said knife.

2. In a can opening machine of'the char-j acter described comprising a mounted adjacent said platform; a slide mounted in said guide and'operatively connected to said platform; link. and lever connections for actuating said-slide; and resillent means for normally holding said levers and said platform in inoperative position. 1

3. In a can opening machine ofthe character described comprising a standard hav-' ing a bracket thereon; a chuck having a sleeve mounted in said bracket; a rotatable shaft journalled in said sleeve and extend ing into said chuck; and a knife carryingmember detachably secured to the inner end of said shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a can opening machine of the charac- 3 ter described; comprlsing a standard; arms on said standard; a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms; a supporting collar on one I, therefore, do not .wish' to be limited to the precise details of the construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of rotatable knife; a movable can platform; a guide end of said shaft engaging one ofsaid arms; I

a disk detachably mounted on the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk and adapted'to rotate therewith; a'centering chuck having a sleeve mounted on one of said arms and forming a bearing-for said shaft; said chuck surrounding said'disk and knife; bevelled edges on said chuck; a movable can platform and means for moving a centering chuck surrounding said disk and on said standard a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms; a supporting collar on one end of said shaft; a disk on the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk;

knife; a movable can platform; adjusting fingers on said platform; and means for moving said platform and can into engagement with said chuck and said rotating knife.

6. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard having arms; a centering chuck adapted to engage one of said arms and 'havlng a frusto- CODICZLl'IBCBSS therein; means for securing said chuck in position; a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms having one end extending into said chuck; a rotatable disk on said shaft; a knife secured to the periphery of said disk; a movable can platform and means for moving said platform and can into engagement with said chuck and said knife,

substantially as described.

7. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard; a rotatable knife mounted on said standard; a chuck having a recess with outwardly tapered sides; a movable can platform having a recess therein; adjusting fingers on said platform; and means for moving said platform and said can into engagement with said. chuck and said knife, substantially as described 8. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard; arms on said standard; a rotatable shaftjournalled in said arms; supporting means for said shaft; a disk on the opposite end of said shaft; aknife mounted on said disk; a centering chuck mounted on one of said arms and surrounding said disk; a movable can platform; adjusting fingers on said platform;a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; and means for moving said slide and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and said knife, substantially as described. I

9. In a can opening machine of the character described; comprising a standard; arms on said standard and a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms; a supporting collar on one end of said shaft engaging one of said arms; a disk detachably mounted on the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk and adapted to rotate therewith; a centering chuck having a sleeve mounted on one of said arms and forming a bearing for said shaft, said chuck surrounding said disk and bearing; bevelled edges on said chuck; a movable can platform; a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; and means for moving said slide and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and said knife, substantially as described.

10. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard; arms on said standard; a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms; a supporting collar on one end of said shaft; a disk on the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk; a centering chuck surrounding said disk and knife; a movable can platform; a flange on said platform; adjusting fingers on said platform; a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; and means for moving said slide and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and said knife, substantially as described.

11. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard having arms; a centering chuck adapted to engage one of said arms and having a frustoconical recess therein; means for securing said chuck in position; a rotatable shaft j ournalled in said arms having one end extending into said chuck; a rotatable disk on said shaft; a knife secured to the periphery of said disk; a movable can platform; a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said said chuck and said knife, substantially asdescribed.

12. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprisin a standard; a rotatable knife mounted on said standard; a chuck having a sleeve engaging an arm on said standard and secured thereto and having therein a recess; a recess outwardly tapered sides; a movable can platform having a recess therein; adjusting fingers on said platform; a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; and means for moving said slide and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and said knife, substantially as described.

13. In a can opening machine of the char acter described, comprising a standard; arms on said standard; a rotatable shaft journalledin said arms; supporting means for said shaft; a disk on the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk; a centering chuck mounted on one of said arms and surrounding said disk; a movable can platform; a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; a link connected to said slide; a lever connected to said link and to said standard; a link connected to said lever; and a lever connected to said link and to said standard for moving said slide and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and'said knife, substantially as described.

'14. In a can opening machine of the. character described; comprising a standard;

arms on said standard and rotatable shaft :mounted on said disk and'adaptedto rotate therewith; a centering chuck having; a sleeve mounted on one of said arms and forming a bearing for said shaft; said chuck surround ing'said disk and knife; bevelled edges on said chuck; a movable can platform; a guide on said'standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable-in said guide; a link connected to said slide; a lever connected to said link and to said standard; a link connected to said lever; and a lever connected to said link and to said standard for moving said slide and said can'carrying platform into engagement With said chuck and said knife, substantially as described.

15.: In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard; arms onsaid standard; a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms; a supporting collar on one end of said shaft; a diskon the opposite end of said shaft; a knife mounted on said disk; a centering chuck surrounding said disk and knife; a movable can platform; a flange on said platform; adjusting fingers on said platform;a guide on said standard; a slide connected to said platform and movable infsaid guide; alink connected to said slide; a lever connected to said link and tosaid standard; alink connected to said lever; and a lever connected to said i link and to said standard for moving said slide-and said can carrying platform into engagement with said chuck and said knife, substantially as described. 7

16. In a can opening machine of the character described, comprising a standard having arms; a centering chuck adapted to engage one of said arms having'a frusto-conical recess therein; means for securing said chuck in position; a rotatable shaft journalled in said arms having one end extending into said chuck; a rotatable disk on said shaft; a knife secured to the periphery of said disk; a movable can platform; a guide on said standard; a. slide connected to said platform and movable in said guide; a link connected to said slide; a-lever connected to said link and to said standard; a link con.- nected to said lever; and a levei connected to said link and to said standard for moving said slide and saidcan carrying platform into engagement With said chuck and said knife, substantially as described.

17. In a'can opening machine of thecharacter described, comprising a standard; a rotatable knife mounted on said standard;

a'chuck having a sleeve engaging an arm" on said standard and securedthereto and having a. recess therein With outwardly 18. In a can opening machine of the char-- acter described, comprising a standard; spacedarms' on said standard each having a bearing at its end; a sleeve mounted in oneof said bearings and, having an annular chuck at its lower end; bevelled edges. on

said chuck; a setscrew securing said sleeve in'said bearing; a rotatable shaft journalled in said bearing and said sleeve-and extending into said chuck and having a driving pulley mounted thereon; a disk mountedon the end of said shaft and rota-table therewith; a knife mounted on the periphery of said disk; an annular movable detachable can platform; a flange surrounding the upper face of said platform; adjustable holdingfingers on said platform;a slide connected to said platform; a guide on said standard engaging said slide; and levers connected to said slide for moving said can into engagement with said knife, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses. 7

ROBERT L. WELLS.

. ,lVitnessesz R. H. BRADLEY, ARTHUR H. EDGAR. 

